Just Ask Terry

I have read that you should not take curcumin if you have gallbladder issues.

Q. Dear Terry, “I have read that you should not take curcumin if you have gallbladder issues. I had my gallbladder removed 30 years ago. Please advise if it is ok for me take curcumin and if there are any other natural products you recommend for my condition.” — Rosetta R., Charleston, WV

A. Dear Rosetta, Curcumin actually helps to improve liver and gallbladder function. That said, I would recommend starting slowly, as very large quantities of curcumin can stimulate bile flow. Start by taking 375 mg (1 softgel) of highly absorbable curcumin daily, you can gradually work your way up to 750 mg daily. Keep in mind that standard curcumin is very poorly absorbed, so make sure the product you choose features a curcumin with excellent absorption that has been proven in published human studies. The best form I have ever found uses curcumin blended with turmeric essential oils in a patented process. This curcumin has been shown in published human studies to be up to 10 times better absorbed than standard curcumin.

I would also recommend adding a digestive enzyme formula to your daily supplement regimen. Supplementing with pancreatin, a natural digestive enzyme complex that provides the enzymes protease, lipase, and amylase, can make all the difference. Pancreatic enzymes simply help your body do what it already does naturally. I recommend taking 1 or 2 tablets of pancreatin with each meal. Make sure that when choosing a formula, you get an undiluted pancreatin supplement. The United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) has set strict definitions for the level of activity – measured by how effectively the enzyme breaks down its targeted nutrient type – for pancreatin. I believe the best results for improving digestion come from full strength, undiluted pancreatin. Less potent pancreatin has often been diluted with salt, lactose or galactose.

I encourage you to discuss the use of these dietary supplements with your physician as they may have additional input regarding a supplement regimen.